Drum reset procedures for Canon Ricoh Kyocera and Brother MFPs
Drum units track their own usage through a page counter that the device increments after each print. When the drum is replaced, the counter needs to reset to zero so that the new drum's lifespan tracks accurately. Most current devices reset the counter automatically when the drum is replaced, since the new drum carries a chip that the device reads on installation. Some devices and some drum models require a manual reset from the front panel. The procedures below cover the four major brands and the cases where the manual reset is needed.
When the drum counter needs a manual reset
Three scenarios call for a manual drum counter reset. The first is replacement of a drum on a device that does not include automatic chip detection, typically older mono devices and SOHO class units. The second is installation of a refurbished drum unit that may carry a chip with the old counter still in place. The third is installation of a third party drum that has no chip at all, where the device falls back to the manual counter.
The reset is necessary because the device uses the counter to schedule warnings and to refuse printing when the counter exceeds the rated life. A new drum on an unreset counter will trigger end of life warnings prematurely and may stop printing altogether after a few hundred pages.
Canon drum reset procedure
From the maintenance menu
Canon MFPs accept the manual drum reset through the Adjustment Maintenance section of the service panel. The procedure is consistent across the imageRUNNER series and the more recent imageRUNNER ADVANCE devices.
- Press Settings on the front panel
- Open Adjustment Maintenance, then Maintenance
- Select Drum Unit Replacement Procedure for the affected colour
- Follow the on screen instructions to confirm replacement
- The device resets the counter and confirms readiness
Older imageRUNNER models may require entry into the technician service menu using a key combination held during power on. The OEM service manual for the specific model documents the entry sequence.
Ricoh drum reset procedure
Through the User Tools menu
Ricoh MFPs typically detect drum replacement automatically, but the manual reset path exists for refurbished drums and for cases where the auto detect fails. The procedure uses the User Tools menu on Aficio and MP Series devices.
- Press User Tools on the front panel
- Open Maintenance, then PM Counter Reset
- Select the affected drum or photoconductor unit
- Confirm the reset and wait for the device to acknowledge
- Print a configuration page to verify the counter is at zero
SP Series Ricoh devices use a different path under Service Mode, accessible by holding specific buttons during power on. The service procedure is documented in the unit's technical bulletin available from Ricoh dealers.
Kyocera drum reset procedure
Service mode entry required
Kyocera drums on TASKalfa and ECOSYS devices typically use a long life design integrated with the developer unit. When replacement is needed, the reset usually happens automatically through the developer chip. Manual reset requires entry into service mode.
- From the front panel, press System Menu
- Enter the service code, typically 10871087 on TASKalfa devices
- Open Adjust Maintenance, then Drum Counter
- Select Reset for the affected drum
- Exit service mode and confirm operation
Smaller ECOSYS devices may not expose the service menu through the front panel. On these devices, the only reset path is replacing the developer unit alongside the drum, which carries a fresh chip that the device reads on installation.
Brother drum reset procedure
Through the menu key sequence
Brother MFC and HL series devices use a documented key sequence to reset the drum counter manually. The sequence is consistent across most current models.
- Open the front cover where the drum is accessed
- Press Clear or Cancel on the front panel
- Use the arrow keys to select Drum or 1.Drum
- Confirm the reset by pressing OK or 1
- Close the front cover and verify the counter has reset
Older Brother devices sometimes use a different sequence involving the Go key. The user manual for the specific model carries the correct sequence.
Quick reference matrix
| Brand | Reset menu | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canon | Adjustment Maintenance, Drum Unit Replacement | Per colour on multi colour devices |
| Ricoh | User Tools, PM Counter Reset | SP Series uses Service Mode |
| Kyocera | System Menu, code 10871087, Drum Counter | Service mode entry required |
| Brother | Cover open, Clear key, Drum select, OK | Slight variation by model |
| Konica Minolta | Service Mode, Counter Menu, Imaging Unit | Mostly automatic on bizhub |
| Xerox | Automatic detection, no manual reset on most models | Service call required for exceptions |
What to do if the reset does not stick
Some devices accept the reset command but show the counter back at the previous value after a power cycle. The pattern usually indicates that the chip on the new drum is reporting the old counter value, which the device reads on the next startup and uses to override the manual reset.
The fix is to identify whether the new drum chip is the issue or the device itself. Installing an OEM drum with a confirmed fresh chip and running the reset isolates the cause. If the OEM drum resets cleanly, the previously installed drum had a chip issue. If the OEM drum also fails to stick, the device's reset implementation has a fault that needs service attention.
Drums that share components with the developer unit
Several brands integrate the drum with the developer unit into a single replaceable assembly. The combined unit carries one chip that tracks both subsystems together. The reset on these devices is a single action that covers both, rather than two separate resets for drum and developer.
The integration simplifies the reset procedure but ties the drum and developer replacement timings together. A drum that has reached end of life triggers the full assembly replacement, even if the developer has plenty of life remaining. The cost trade off favours the integrated approach in most office environments, since the combined assembly is usually priced below the sum of separate components.
Continue with the consumables and sensors cluster
This piece covers drum reset across four major brands. The preceding pieces handle related issues: toner low sensor reset and compatible toner recognition fixes. The cluster closes with how to replace a full waste toner bottle and reset the counter.